Table 1.
Surrogate and patient characteristics
| Variable | Surrogate (n = 50) | Patient (n = 50) |
|---|---|---|
| Age, years, mean ± SD | 53.8 ± 12.7 | 58.1 ± 15.2 |
| Female | 35 (70.0) | 18 (36.0) |
| Race | ||
| White | 29 (58.0) | 31 (62.0) |
| Black | 17 (34.0) | 17 (34.0) |
| Other | 4 (8.0) | 2 (4.0) |
| Relationship to patient | ||
| Spouse/partner | 21 (42) | |
| Parent | 6 (12) | |
| Sibling | 8 (16) | |
| Child | 11 (22) | |
| Friend | 2 (4) | |
| Other relative | 2 (4) | |
| Religion | ||
| Christian | 13 (26.0) | 9 (18.0) |
| Catholic | 14 (28.0) | 16 (32.0) |
| Protestant | 13 (26.0) | 14 (28.0) |
| Jewish | 4 (8.0) | 4 (8.0) |
| No religious affiliation | 2 (4.0) | 3 (6.0) |
| Other | 4 (8.0) | 4 (8.0) |
| Household income | ||
| < $50,000 | 19 (38.0) | 19 (38.0) |
| $50,000 – $100,000 | 10 (20.0) | 9 (18.0) |
| $100,000 + | 18 (36.0) | 13 (26.0) |
| Decline to answer | 3 (6.0) | 8 (16.0) |
| Unknown | 0 (0) | 1 (2.0) |
| Employment status | ||
| Full or part time out of home | 31 (62.0) | 16 (32.0) |
| In home/homemaker | 7 (14.0) | 1 (2.0) |
| Unemployed | 5 (10.0) | 14 (28.0) |
| Retired | 7 (14.0) | 19 (38.0) |
| Previous hospital experience | ||
| Prior hospitalization | 45 (90.0) | 40 (80.0) |
| Prior ICU admission | 13 (26.0) | 28 (56.0) |
| Prior episode of MV | 4 (8.0) | 15 (30.0) |
Values are N (percent) except where indicated otherwise.
Abbreviations: SD = standard deviation; ICU = intensive care unit; MV = mechanical ventilation